Many players mistakenly believe pudding cards are scored every round, but they are actually held until the very end of the game.
According to the Sushi Go! Official Rulebook, pudding cards are kept in front of you throughout the game and scored only after the third round.
Sushi Go! Official Rulebook [edition not specified]
These rules correspond to the US edition of Sushi Go!.
Official Rule Breakdown
Pudding cards function differently than standard sushi cards. According to the official rules, if you have any pudding cards, you must keep them in front of you rather than discarding them; they will be scored at the end of the game. The player who has gathered the most cards with puddings receives 6 points. If there is a tie for the highest number of pudding cards, the 6 points are split equally among the tied players, ignoring any remainder. Conversely, the player with the fewest pudding cards (even if they have zero) loses 6 points. In a tie for the lowest number of pudding cards, the 6-point penalty is divided equally among the tied players. Note that in a 2-player game, no one loses points for having pudding cards; only the bonus for the most pudding is awarded.
Example Play Situation
Alice collects three pudding cards over three rounds and keeps them in front of her. Bob collects zero pudding cards. At the end of the game, Alice receives 6 points for having the most puddings, while Bob loses 6 points for having the fewest.
Common Misconceptions
- Scoring pudding cards at the end of every round
- Discarding pudding cards with the rest of the hand
- Losing points for zero pudding in a 2-player game
Quick Reference
| You Can | You Cannot |
|---|---|
| Keep pudding cards in front of you throughout the game | Do not discard pudding cards at the end of a round |
| Split tied pudding points evenly among winners | Do not apply the pudding penalty in a 2-player game |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the official rule for pudding in Sushi Go?
- Pudding cards are kept until the end of the game and scored based on who has the most or fewest.
- Do I lose points if I have zero pudding cards?
- Yes, you lose 6 points for having the fewest pudding cards, unless you are playing with only 2 players.
- How many points do I get for the most pudding?
- The player with the highest number of pudding cards receives 6 points.
- What happens if there is a tie for the most pudding?
- The 6 points are split evenly among the players who tied for the top spot.